Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/106171
INTERVIEW P56 EARL HAYDEN don't feel good… but he likes me there." Although he missed some races while battling his illness, Earl Hayden hasn't missed much. And he's always been lucky enough to be there for the big ones. "I've been pretty fortunate," he said. "The first Grand National dirt track, years ago when Tommy was 16, was big. I wasn't at Peoria because I thought he had no shot to make the Peoria TT National. He made that and I missed that. With Roger Lee [his first AMA Superbike win at Homestead last year] winning, I was tickled to death. With all the first wins, all the good stuff… I was at all of them. Up until this deal [sickness], one of us – me or Rose – would be with Nicky and one with AMA. With Roger Lee coming along, one of us was with one kid. I haven't really missed out… and I don't like missing the good stuff." And now he's helping Lewis and his parents, the Kentuckian showing huge promise in winning the 2012 AMA Supersport East title. "I'm really enjoying it with Jake and his mom and dad," Earl says. "They are really good about… 'mom and dad, you gotta keep your mouths shut.' Me and Rose found out early that if you keep your mouth shut you won't have to buy a motorcycle part or motorcycles and we haven't had to buy one since. But you better be damn fast if mom or dad are their running their mouths. That'll get Earl and Nicky celebrate the 2006 World Championship. you out the door faster than anything." What most people don't realize is that just because Earl and Rose have successful children with solid racing careers, they also hold down jobs of their own with their used-car sales lots in Owensboro – Second Chance Auto. You can also find them on some race weekends running the Hayden Brothers General Store, the place where fans can purchase Hayden Bros. merchandise. "We still have two full time jobs to do," Earl says. "Nicky won the Daytona 200 one time and I was out there by myself going to drive home. Some spectator said, 'Wait a minute, you're kid won the Daytona 200 and you have to drive home?' But that's the way that works, you know. Sometimes I gotta rush out of there." Earl Hayden looks back without regret on having his sons do what they do, but he knows it all has to end. "To do what they've done for their careers and to do it well… I don't want to see them do it too long. Things can happen. But I still believe it's a little bit when it's your turn you can't do much about it – even if it's driving home